Sample Letter to your 
Representative 

Sample Letter in Support of H.R.2618 

Sample Letter 

Dear Representative _________, 
I am writing to ask you to support H.R. 2618. This bill would move marijuana to Schedule II (so physicians could prescribe it) and ensure access by people needing marijuana for medicinal purposes. 

While everyone agrees we need a strong national commitment to prevent and treat drug abuse, there is no reason why doctors should not be allowed to prescribe a medication to people who benefit from it. 

Though marijuana is currently in Schedule I, meaning that it officially has no medical value and is too dangerous to use even under a doctor's supervision, many people claim that smoked marijuana eases the symptoms of painful and lifethreatening illnesses, including AIDS wasting syndrome, glaucoma, muscle spasms, and the effects of cancer chemotherapy. These people are forced to enter the dangerous black market or search out underground buyers clubs. 

Meanwhile, cocaine and PCP-drugs with far greater potential for harm-are less restricted than marijuana. In an outrageous abuse of the public trust, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have prevented the medical research which would evaluate marijuana's medicinal potential. 

I am asking you to help break the deadlock which is making millions of people into criminals and denying sick people their medication. Please look into reclassifying marijuana for medicinal purposes by cosponsoring H.R 2618, hold a hearing on it, or at least insisting that the DEA and NIDA ensure that research on marijuana's medicinal use happens. 

Please write back to me and let me know your position. 

Sincerely, [your name]